In the next few days, the Energy Department will announce the first of $18.5B in loan guarantees...

In the next few days, the Energy Department will announce the first of $18.5B in loan guarantees for building new nuclear reactors, and industry experts think the first guarantee will go to Southern Company (SO). GE (GE) and others have invested tens of millions of dollars in plans for reactors in the hope that a drive for cleaner energy will force environmental advocates to rethink their skepticism over nuclear power.